Betty Ellen Miller

October 3, 1929 - January 30, 2021

Betty Ellen Miller, of Traverse City, Michigan lived with the true hope that to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:8) and after 91 years of life on earth, she was immediately welcomed to heaven on January 30 by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Betty was also welcomed by her best friend, high school sweetheart, and husband of 61 years Clyde “Gene” Miller and her grandson, Daniel “Beechie” Miller, as well as many friends and family. At an early age, she invited Christ to be the Lord of her life. He was very personal to her and and was the source of her tender heart, her faithfulness, steadfastness, gratitude and abiding joy. It was her heart’s desire that others would “know her Jesus” as she knew him - personally and intimately. Betty was modestly shy, and although she probably never spoke publicly, she shared hope and encouragement through her ministry of writing notes and cards. She emulated Jesus Christ in her relationships by demonstrating love and acceptance with kind and gracious speech. She always had time to share coffee or ice cream with you. She was the dearest friend to many and you always knew you were valued. She unconditionally loved her husband and was always supportive of whatever Gene did. She especially loved being a homemaker. Her family also will fondly remember her as a prayer warrior, an eternal optimist, someone who loved to watch NCAA Football (especially University of Oklahoma), tennis, boxing, bull riding, horse shows, and dog shows. She loved history and genealogy. Betty had amazing organizational skills that came naturally, but were likely refined with her time in Chicago as a Registered Nurse. Her hands were always busy: knitting blankets for her many grandchildren, baking sugar cookies and decorating them to give away. She was a joyful lady that always had a smile and a contagious positive attitude. Surviving Betty are her children and their spouses, Kelly Eugene and Debra Miller of Traverse City, David Arthur and Kellie Miller of Mattawan, Daniel Robert and Maris Miller and Sue Ellen and Doug Bell, all of Traverse City; her beloved grandchildren, Adam and Kristin Miller, Chad and Megan Miller, all of Traverse City, Laura and Mark Abdon and Marisa and Matthew Yeiter, all of Indianapolis; A. J. Miller of Mattawan, Jordan and Monica Miller of St. Joseph, Hunter and Lindsey Miller of Mattawan, Lerran and Stephen Bromiel of Grand Rapids, Carter Miller of Mattawan, Jacob and Katherine Miller of Traverse City, Travis and Bekah Bell of Wooster, Ohio, Kate and Tyler Palsrok of Traverse City and Lucas and Janelle Bell of Bear Lake. She also is survived by her great grandchildren, Austin, Abigail, Clayton and Grace Miller, Addison, Collins, Adam Mason and Emerson Miller, Joshua, Jonathan and Benaiah Abdon, Luke, Lydia and Lauren Yeiter, Jackson Daniel Miller, Ayla and Eden Miller, Charlotte and Deacon Miller, Jason and Nora Bell, Harper, Finley and Monroe Palsrok and Gryphon and Declan Bell. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gene and her grandson Daniel "Beechie" Miller. A Celebration of Betty's life will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Harvest Bible Chapel, 1669 S. Garfield Rd., Traverse City, with visitation beginning at 12 noon, also at the church. Social distancing and masks will be required. The service will be livestreamed for those who wish to join by the venue. Go to www.rjfh.tv and then click on Betty's photo and you will be connected to the livestream. Because Gene and Betty were strong advocates of Christian education, in lieu of flowers, funds would be gratefully received at Traverse City Christian School, 753 Emerson Road Traverse City MI 49686 Tuition Assistance Fund to further support Christian education.